Controlling Bears
You might wonder what an article about bears is doing on an integrated pest control site. Well believe it or not, black bears are still fairly common in the United States, and where they occur they seem to love everything that humans have to offer. Fruit trees and garbage are ideal meals for a hungry bear, and you will find them in every state. It’s not just urban areas that are prone to black bear problems either; the state of New Jersey is the most densely populated in the country, yet the black bear is as big a problem there as it is in Wyoming; perhaps even more so, given that there are many more opportunities for bears to encounter humans.Black bears can destroy trees, fences, and make a huge mess, not to mention the risk they pose to humans. Still, they are not that hard to control both due to their size and their natural inclination to run away when scared so long as they aren’t directly threatened. Here are some ways to control black bears that might be a problem.
- Call your local wildlife office. As soon as you see a bear in your neighbourhood or come across signs of bear activity, you need to call your local animal control office. Unlike most other pests (with the exception of deer) there is not a lot that an individual home owner can do to control black bears, and you need the help of experts.
- Traps. It’s likely that a problem bear will either be trapped or shot. If they are being trapped, you need to make sure that your children know where the trap is located and that it is not something to be approached under any circumstances, and definitely should not be played on or in.
- Dogs. A barking dog is a big irritant to a bear, and even the presence of a small dog can keep a bear away. For that matter, a fierce cat may also be able to chase a bear off the premises. Dogs can be great when it comes to keeping bears away from your yard while animal control officials are attempting to track it down.
- Keep garbage inside. If there is a bear around, you need to keep your garbage inside, preferably in a shed or garage. Nothing attracts a bear quite like the smell of garbage, and they will always come back to see if there is more.
- Pick up any fruit. Ripe fruit lying on the ground is also a preferred meal for bears. To keep them out of your yard, you have to make sure there is no food source. Be diligent and make sure to pick up and fruit that falls from your trees. You should also pick your fruit just prior to ripening; it can ripen off the tree, and bears won’t smell it.
Never try to deal with a problem bear on your own, and never approach one. They are unpredictable and dangerous, and the most effective bear control measures that you can take are in the area of prevention.
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